Afternoon!

 

I'm looking for any manual 300zx, n/a or tt, but would prefer a really clean n/a over a "leggy" tt. SWB or LWB, preferably T-Top but would go for a clean slicktop.

 

My ideal 300zx would be: LWB T-top, N/A, low mileage, with proof of the cambelt done. M reg or later, as my personal plate is M reg.

 

Would consider ANY clean zx, but that is just my ideal one for my budget.

 

Budget is £2500, or PX my E46 330ci with cash your way. I'll travel to you no matter where you're based in the country, don't worry about travel.

 

I'm based in the highlands but will travel, no problem.

 

Mods: Not sure if I can post a wanted add without being a subscriber, but I plan on subscribing as soon as I actually own a zx!

I think you'll struggle to get what you want for your budget. Even low mileage NAs are worth more than what you have to spend. You might be lucky, but it'll be very very tough.

I think you'll struggle to get what you want for your budget. Even low mileage NAs are worth more than what you have to spend. You might be lucky, but it'll be very very tough.

 

A few people in my welcome thread reckoned I could get a clean N/A within budget so hopefully I have some luck. One with 89k mi and recent cambelt just sold for £2300, sadly I didn't get my car sold in time to buy it!

As I can't seem to edit my original post, I should probably mention that what I call low mileage is like, under 100k really!

An earlier one with auto, absolutely, however a series 3 with a manual box with low mileage in good condition is going to be hard to find in your budget I think.

An earlier one with auto, absolutely, however a series 3 with a manual box with low mileage in good condition is going to be hard to find in your budget I think.

 

Doesn't need to be post-M plate, that's just my "best case scenario." I don't think I'll ever see a post-M in my budget but it's always worth mentioning just in case!

 

I've seen series 1/2/3 mentioned a couple of times now but I've tried googling for an explanation and not found anything, is there a faq post I'm missing that explains the differences? Thanks!

.....having said that, my idea of clean and low mileage is probably a little different to most others'!

"Series" is a bit of a misnomer to be honest, it was not something Nissan used, however it is a way of identifying model refresh years and is one that folk in the UK and Australia use. Americans wouldn't have any clue what you meant if you said 'series 3' to them for example! :lol:

 

For example an 89-92 would be a Series 1.

 

This link explains better the more significant changes made between model years:

 

http://www.300zx.org.uk/model_variations.htm

.....having said that, my idea of clean and low mileage is probably a little different to most others'!

 

The Z in your sig looks like it might be a lot cleaner than I'm looking for, lovely looking car! I'm just really hoping for no rusty arches, sills not in bad condition but not factory. Basically something nice to daily without worrying about every stone chip etc. Plus, living up here in the highlands, we very heavily salt our roads in winter, a wash every day is critical to keeping rust at bay and I'd really hate to put something as clean as yours through that kind of wear!

 

"Series" is a bit of a misnomer to be honest, it was not something Nissan used, however it is a way of identifying model refresh years and is one that folk in the UK and Australia use. Americans wouldn't have any clue what you meant if you said 'series 3' to them for example! :lol:

 

For example an 89-92 would be a Series 1.

 

This link explains better the more significant changes made between model years:

 

http://www.300zx.org.uk/model_variations.htm

 

Thanks for that link, I could not find anything like that, bookmarked!

That's good. Slicktops are really rare, and swb are quite rare also.

 

I know Pete 'offered' you a slicktops, if you get it, appreciate it :)

That's good. Slicktops are really rare, and swb are quite rare also.

 

I know Pete 'offered' you a slicktops, if you get it, appreciate it :)

 

I'm eagerly awaiting pictures and details of Pete's slicktop, I know he said it would be a week or so, not trying to rush him, just wanted to put the post up incase there was others around who might want to PX before I sell the bmw! :)

Ive seen petes slicktop in the flesh its a good clean car and a car you can stamp your ideas on. Good base for your project.

You might have seen this but it looks good for that sort of money.

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201709259661270?make=NISSAN&model=300&logcode=p

Ive seen petes slicktop in the flesh its a good clean car and a car you can stamp your ideas on. Good base for your project.

 

You're all getting me excited over Pete's car!

 

You might have seen this but it looks good for that sort of money.

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201709259661270?make=NISSAN&model=300&logcode=p

 

I might have that open in another tab ;) To buy it I'd need for my MX5 and my E46 to be sold straight away but trust me that's definitely on the shortlist! :D

Apologies for the two posts in a row but can I just say, THANK YOU to everyone on 300zx.co.uk for being the most welcome, friendly, and helpful forum I've been on in recent years. I've been registered for a grand total of maybe 48 hours now and the help I've received in finding a 300 so far has been absolutely top notch!

"Series" is a bit of a misnomer to be honest, it was not something Nissan used, however it is a way of identifying model refresh years and is one that folk in the UK and Australia use. Americans wouldn't have any clue what you meant if you said 'series 3' to them for example! :lol:

 

For example an 89-92 would be a Series 1.

 

This link explains better the more significant changes made between model years:

 

http://www.300zx.org.uk/model_variations.htm

Come on Simon you know very well we have always aged Zeds by "Series" and so has 99.9% of zed owners in the UK...what there called in the US has no bearings at all for a new member looking for a 1st car unless you can find him a low mileage manual LWB n/a Zeeeeeeeeeee :biggrin:

Come on Simon you know very well we have always aged Zeds by "Series" and so has 99.9% of zed owners in the UK...what there called in the US has no bearings at all for a new member looking for a 1st car unless you can find him a low mileage manual LWB n/a Zeeeeeeeeeee :biggrin:

 

You've just reiterated what I've said! :lol:

Ive seen petes slicktop in the flesh its a good clean car and a car you can stamp your ideas on. Good base for your project.

 

Thanks Ian.

Its looking better than when you were here now.

Later spec spoiler all fitted and painted.

wheels repainted in silver and decent tyres fitted.

TBH Im sad to let it go but Im never going to get time to do it how I first planned.

I want to have more time to get out n about in the orange and black one .

Thanks Ian.

Its looking better than when you were here now.

Later spec spoiler all fitted and painted.

wheels repainted in silver and decent tyres fitted.

TBH Im sad to let it go but Im never going to get time to do it how I first planned.

I want to have more time to get out n about in the orange and black one .

 

I'm really quite interested in your slicktop, stop making it sound even better haha

Welcome to the club Alex, good luck on your search for a 300zx. My only advice if you’re looking to daily the car through the salty, winter months is to make sure you get the car thoroughly undersealed and the cavities waxed beforehand.

 

This can be done without spending a fortune but will be time consuming to do it properly. In the long run, it will save you money though as these cars don’t like wet/salty weather and due to some design flaws, regular washing would likely just compound and accelerate the issue.

Welcome to the club Alex, good luck on your search for a 300zx. My only advice if you’re looking to daily the car through the salty, winter months is to make sure you get the car thoroughly undersealed and the cavities waxed beforehand.

 

This can be done without spending a fortune but will be time consuming to do it properly. In the long run, it will save you money though as these cars don’t like wet/salty weather and due to some design flaws, regular washing would likely just compound and accelerate the issue.

 

Thanks Joel!

 

Luckily I do have a large secure lockup where I can apply underseal and cavity wax, are there any rust trap areas I might not be aware of?

The places I've been told to check thoroughly are: sills, under the weatherstripping around the hatch, under the rear carpet, and under the battery tray.

Thanks Joel!

 

Luckily I do have a large secure lockup where I can apply underseal and cavity wax, are there any rust trap areas I might not be aware of?

The places I've been told to check thoroughly are: sills, under the weatherstripping around the hatch, under the rear carpet, and under the battery tray.

 

Inner front strut mounts, sills, floor pan, chassis box sections and chassis legs, rear arch tubs, inner arches, inner wing behind filler cap, boot floor, tailgate edge, radiator support basically the entire car apart from the bonnet! :lol:

Inner front strut mounts, sills, floor pan, chassis box sections and chassis legs, rear arch tubs, inner arches, inner wing behind filler cap, boot floor, tailgate edge, radiator support basically the entire car apart from the bonnet! :lol:

 

So basically I should Mr Bean it?

 

(Fill it with tubs of underseal and blow them up to ensure solid coverage? :P )

Just make sure you find a totally rust free example to Waxoil, that in itself is becoming extremely hard to come by now - I wouldn't recommend using it as a daily to be honest. Buy a cheap old Fiesta or something if you can cope with the shame and use the Z as a hobby car.

 

I've seen Zs that have been used as dailys and after a while, there isn't much left of them, even ones which have been Waxoiled start to look trashed after a good few years in the salt and damp.

Just make sure you find a totally rust free example to Waxoil, that in itself is becoming extremely hard to come by now - I wouldn't recommend using it as a daily to be honest. Buy a cheap old Fiesta or something if you can cope with the shame and use the Z as a hobby car.

 

I've seen Zs that have been used as dailys and after a while, there isn't much left of them, even ones which have been Waxoiled start to look trashed after a good few years in the salt and damp.

 

I was actually discussing this with the missus last night and I was realising that with the mileage I do, getting something small and unloved for work related mileage would be a good idea, because it'll be cheaper to have two cars taxed and insured, than it would be to repair wear and tear on a Z. Meaning more money for enjoying the Z and less spent on chasing the rust caused by our absolutely lovely scottish weather. I think I just heard a family of ducks sailing down the street...

 

I would still have to make sure I covered every inch I could in waxoil though, I'm looking at the Z as a long term car since it's been on the bucket list for so long now!

Not to mention when it breaks and you need some obscure part that needs importing and can't get to work on Monday. I've done my time with mine as a daily and wouldn't do it again.